Ok - no complaints as I'm lucky enough to own a '07 GT500, an '08 Viper ACR (1 of 4 in color, 1 of 1 in options), and the '10 Camaro SS 6MT. By far, the SS is the slowest of the bunch, the GT500 is the most streetable (dual clutch is sweet!), and the Viper is the hairy-chested, kick-ass beast by a mile.

My last 400-hp range car I owned was an '07 SRT8 Superbee, which felt slow off the line with the automatic but would catch up quick. Prior to that I owned an '04 Cobra 'Vert, and I beat the the heck out of it from day 1 and it was always super fast from stock. Anyway, the point - or complaint - is where are we losing these 426 ponies in the Camaro that is just doesn't feel that fast? I hoping it's rear gears, which is an easy swap, but am interested in what the community says about how to get 'em back on par without dropping an extra $10k to do it.

The GT500 has a dual-plate ceramic-coated clutch system. It offers more surface area than a single disc system, and less intertia to get it all spinning, which results in the engine coming up faster, and easier engagement. It takes some getting used to going between the two cars (GT500 and Camaro, which uses a single-disc system).

I'm just breaking in the Camaro, with only about 260 miles on the clock. You're right that it just might wake up past break-in. Guess I'll have to do some driving

The GT500 has a dual-plate ceramic-coated clutch system. It offers more surface area than a single disc system, and less intertia to get it all spinning, which results in the engine coming up faster, and easier engagement. It takes some getting used to going between the two cars (GT500 and Camaro, which uses a single-disc system).

I always understood that the double clutch (dual plate) just provided better engagement and less clutch slippage when you were pushing more power. I don't see how it would have anything to do with inertia or the engine coming up faster.

Agreed, why don't you just compare it to the Veyron while you're at it.

I'm only comparing the cars that I own, or have owned - just happens to be what I have. Ok - the Viper ACR may not be a fair comparison, as it is a barely street legal race car that you have to pay attention to all the time when driving. However, the GT500 and Camaro are a little closer - in price anyway - as my Camaro listed for a touch over $40k.

Anyway, the closest comparison may that of my '07 SRT8 Superbee and '04 Mustang Cobra (both of which I no longer own). The Camaro definitely feels faster than the Superbee did off the line - I don't know how they'd match up on a slow roll as the Superbee would launch poorly and then go like a bat out of hell from 20+MPH on. I think I'll give this one to the Camaro. The '04 Mustang - supercharged 4.6 with 400 factory rated horsepower - just plain seemed to haul ass. Looking back on specs, it's listed as a 12.9 1/4 mile car vs the Camaro which seems to be somewhere around mid-13s (understanding that Camaro data is still coming in).

I'll wait until break-in is complete, but am starting to wonder what - short of adding a supercharger - can be done with a few bucks (say a ceiling of $2k) to bring up performance of the SS and shave 5 or 6 tenths off the car.

Exhaust, CAI and a tune will get you what you're looking for in the money range you are expecting.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tcslc

I'm only comparing the cars that I own, or have owned - just happens to be what I have. Ok - the Viper ACR may not be a fair comparison, as it is a barely street legal race car that you have to pay attention to all the time when driving. However, the GT500 and Camaro are a little closer - in price anyway - as my Camaro listed for a touch over $40k.

Anyway, the closest comparison may that of my '07 SRT8 Superbee and '04 Mustang Cobra (both of which I no longer own). The Camaro definitely feels faster than the Superbee did off the line - I don't know how they'd match up on a slow roll as the Superbee would launch poorly and then go like a bat out of hell from 20+MPH on. I think I'll give this one to the Camaro. The '04 Mustang - supercharged 4.6 with 400 factory rated horsepower - just plain seemed to haul ass. Looking back on specs, it's listed as a 12.9 1/4 mile car vs the Camaro which seems to be somewhere around mid-13s (understanding that Camaro data is still coming in).

I'll wait until break-in is complete, but am starting to wonder what - short of adding a supercharger - can be done with a few bucks (say a ceiling of $2k) to bring up performance of the SS and shave 5 or 6 tenths off the car.

The GT500 has a dual-plate ceramic-coated clutch system. It offers more surface area than a single disc system, and less intertia to get it all spinning, which results in the engine coming up faster, and easier engagement. It takes some getting used to going between the two cars (GT500 and Camaro, which uses a single-disc system).

I'm just breaking in the Camaro, with only about 260 miles on the clock. You're right that it just might wake up past break-in. Guess I'll have to do some driving

The 2007 GT500 does not have a dual clutch.

And your post still fails to make much sense to me. The car has 75hp less than the one you are directly comparing it too and 175hp less than the one your indirectly comparing it to. Did you expect it to pull as hard?

And your post still fails to make much sense to me. The car has 75hp less than the one you are directly comparing it too and 175hp less than the one your indirectly comparing it to. Did you expect it to pull as hard?

Should this be posted in the Camaro vs. R8 section?

As far as I know twin-plate/dual-plate and dual-clutch aren't the same thing.

Don't get me wrong, I'm no GM apologist, I tried my hardest to talk my dad out of an Impala 2 weeks ago. It's just that I think this is an unfair fight. It's like Floyd Mayweather Jr. trying to take on a heavy weight champ. Not that the Camaro is the best car pound for pound, but it's arguably the best in its class.

But that extra 6k doesn't get you extra performance, it gets you luxury stuff.

If you just wanted the performance stuff why not just spend the 31k on the 1SS, isn't the 34k for the 2SS just extra luxury stuff? Lets be realistic here, who is only ordering base model Camaros anyways? From what I am seeing most are being sold with the "luxury stuff" so the 34k is hardly a correct estimate

Don't get me wrong, I'm no GM apologist, I tried my hardest to talk my dad out of an Impala 2 weeks ago. It's just that I think this is an unfair fight. It's like Floyd Mayweather Jr. trying to take on a heavy weight champ. Not that the Camaro is the best car pound for pound, but it's arguably the best in its class.

The 370z / 135i / Evo X / Camaro SS / A4 are the best in the 30-40k price bracket.

If you just wanted the performance stuff why not just spend the 31k on the 1SS, isn't the 34k for the 2SS ust extra luxury puff? Lets be realistic here, who is only ordering base model Camaros anyways? From what I am seeing most are being sold with the "luxury puff" so the 34k is hardly a correct estimate

i own srt 8 challenger and 2005 viper truck lots of mods u cant compare these 50k plus cars and 500hp to the new camero its just not fair. ps i have 2010 rjt 2ltssrs auto and it will hang with both of my dodges. not branded to any one name i like muscle cars all of them.

As far as I know twin-plate/dual-plate and dual-clutch aren't the same thing.

agreed. i always thought that dual clutchs were found in top end performance cars, to give you the true manual flappy paddle gear box, but still have an automatic mode. The things that are found in Ferraris and Lamborghinis